•Adebanjo, Ajayi, Okurounmu shun meetings
The return of former Osun State Deputy Governor Iyiola Omisore to a faction of the Afenifere has unsettled the pan-Yoruba socio-political group.
Prominent leaders of the Pa Rueben Fasoranti-led faction, including Sir Olaniwun Ajayi, Chief Ayo Adebanjo and Dr. Femi Okunrounmu, have been shunning the group’s meetings.
They have vowed not to have any dealing with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain.
The trio demanded explanation from Fasoranti for the senator’s romance with the organisation.
Trouble started in Akure, the Ondo State capital, when Omisore was invited to the group’s meeting at Fasoranti’s home. A source said Adebanjo, an associate of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, was alarmed that the group’s leaders were not consulted before the senator was invited.
But others – Fasoranti, Chief Olu Falae, Chief Supo Sonibare, Chief Korede Duyile and the Publicity Secretary, Mr. Yinka Odumakin – did not raise any eyebrow.
The source said: “Chief Adebanjo never hid his feelings on principle and ideology. He was enraged. He questioned Omisore’s presence at the crucial reconciliation meeting. He demanded an explanation that could not be convincingly offered. He threatened to leave the meeting, but he was pacified. One of the leaders told him that the purpose of the meeting, which was reconciliation, would be defeated, if another quarrel ensued over Omisore’s presence. Adebanjo was not satisfied with the shallow explanation.”
According to the source, Okunrounmu resigned orally, complaining that Afenifere had derailed from the vision of its founding fathers.
The group has selected a renowned writer, Bashorun Sehinde Arogbofa, as its new secretary.
The source said: “Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko is Omisore’s friend. The governor has influence on Akure-based Afenifere leaders and he may have pleaded with them to accommodate the senator.
“The group usually supports a political party during elections and Omisore wants to contest the Osun State governorship election. But young members of the group are also asking questions.”
When Afenifere held its State of the Nation Conference in Lagos recently, Ajayi, Adebanjo and Okunrounmu shunned the event. Omisore sat on the high table with Fasoranti, Falae and Sonibare. Members of the group, who pleaded for anonymity, said the leaders said they stayed away to avoid embarrassment and save their reputation.
At the press conference held at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, some chieftains of the group, including Falae, Sonibare and Arogbofa, defended Omisore’s presence, saying that as a Yoruba person, the gates of the organisation cannot be shut against him.
Falae said Omisore never left Afenifere, although he resigned as Osun State deputy governor and left the Alliance for Democracy (AD), adding that he was only a dormant member of the group.
A few weeks ago, the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG), dissociated itself from the Akure meeting and rejected Omisore’s move to hobnob with the organisation.
Its leader, Mr. Wale Oshun, said: “With Omisore in Afenifere, Awolowo, Ajasin, Adesanya and Bola Ige will turn in their graves.”